Cultivating Wellness: How to Create a Healing Garden This Spring

As spring approaches, gardening enthusiasts are exploring how to cultivate gardens that not only beautify their surroundings but also promote health and well-being. Horticulturalists and herbalists emphasize the numerous benefits of gardening, from reducing stress and hypertension to providing direct access to herbal remedies.

Research consistently indicates that engaging with nature contributes positively to mental and physical health. Activities like shovelling, weeding, and simply being outdoors can lower rates of heart disease and enhance overall well-being. Furthermore, gardening allows for a unique opportunity to directly access plants with medicinal and therapeutic value.

Devon Young, a prominent herbalist and author of The Homegrown Herbal Apothecary, highlights a common misconception among gardeners: many underestimate the medicinal potential of everyday plants. “People are often surprised by how many plants have medicinal and therapeutic value,” she remarked. With a simple online search, one can discover that familiar flowers and shrubs, such as roses and hibiscus, offer various health benefits. Caution is advised, as some plants can be toxic, but resources like the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center provide valuable guidance for those looking to incorporate healing plants into their gardens.

Creating an Ecologically Mindful Garden

To design a garden that supports both physical well-being and ecological health, experts recommend prioritizing native plants. Bridghe McCracken, founder of Helia Land Design, stresses the importance of selecting flora that naturally thrives in one’s region. Native plants typically require less maintenance, including reduced watering and fertilization, and are beneficial for local wildlife. “When you’re working with native plants, you’re going to have a garden that is amazing for bees… for pollinating butterflies, for a whole spectrum of insects,” McCracken explained.

Some of her recommended plants include purple angelica, known for its umbrella-like blooms, and various types of Monarda, commonly referred to as bee balm. These plants not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of gardens but also serve practical purposes. For example, bee balm can be utilized as an antiseptic and cold remedy, making it a versatile addition to any garden.

When selecting plants, McCracken advises “listening to the land” to understand which species flourish in specific environments. In her own garden, she keeps herbal plants intended for remedies in secondary locations, allowing for a visual display of unharvested blooms closer to home.

Integrating Aesthetics and Health Benefits

Another gardening expert, Ethan Dropkin from Larry Weaner Landscape Associates, adopts a similar philosophy in his design projects. He focuses on creating aesthetically pleasing, human-centric spaces near residences while allowing for more naturalistic landscapes further away. His designs often feature native plants like purple Echinacea and yellow Rudbeckia, which not only look stunning but also have herbal medicinal properties.

Dropkin highlights the therapeutic value of plants like yarrow, known for its antibacterial properties. “You can pick the leaves and put them on a cut, or you crush them up into a poultice, or you can throw them in hot water and you make tea,” he described. Yarrow is also visually appealing, maintaining its beauty even when not in bloom, while serving as a food source for pollinators.

As interest in wellness gardens continues to grow, individuals like Dara Saville, founder of Albuquerque Herbalism, are seeing diverse motivations for engaging with plants. Saville’s community program attracts those interested in ecology, Indigenous healing traditions, and even individuals seeking alternatives to mainstream health care for chronic conditions. Her own gardening style is described as “feral,” allowing plants to establish themselves naturally. Among her favorites is yerba mansa, a native plant with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that also adds beauty to any garden.

In a similar vein, Mihalis Petrou, a landscape designer based in New York City, has made it his mission to showcase the beauty of native plants. After transforming an abandoned lot in Astoria, Queens, into a vibrant garden, he has incorporated over 400 species into his designs. Petrou often uses these plants in fashion photo shoots, opting for fresh native flora instead of market-bought blooms. He incorporates plants like yarrow and mountain mint into herbal teas, emphasizing their flavor and aromatic qualities.

Both Young and Petrou see a strong connection between gardening and the arts. “Art is therapy and landscaping is art,” Young remarked, suggesting that a well-designed wellness garden serves as a form of healing in itself.

As spring unfolds, the prospect of cultivating a garden that nurtures both the body and soul offers an inviting opportunity for many. With guidance from experts and an understanding of local ecosystems, anyone can create a sanctuary that not only enhances their environment but also promotes health and well-being.